Pattiewack is crazy for pompoms and tassels, sewing and crafting, and living a stylish life through DIY projects she has stamped with her personal touch.
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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

How To Make Leather Bound Metal Journals

Journaling is by far one of my favorite things!

I've got nooks and crannies, boxes and drawers filled with my journals of notes, drawings, thoughts, sketches, lists, ideas, and hosts of other random brain droppings. But I have to say that I also love making journals. These are probably the most outrageous ones I've made, and the idea came to me when I was walking through the home improvement store. Scott and I love going there and brainstorming about the different things we can make with all the extremely cool stuff.

When I saw the aluminum flashing in rolls, I knew that I had to have a roll! Then I took it home and flattened it so that it didn't curl anymore.

The next step is the most fun of all. Take acrylic paints in your favorite colors, and drop onto the metal flashing. While it's wet, pick up the metal and make the paint run from side to side. Keep playing with it until you just love it! Let it dry completely.

You're ready to cut it with metal snips. You must wear heavy gloves for this, and have fine grit sandpaper to soften the edges after cutting it into matching rectangles. Next, cut a 1-inch tab across the left edge of the rectangles. Don't forget to sand the edges so that they're not sharp anymore.

Now punch holes and attach grommets 2 or 3 inches apart along the center of the tabs, and along the edge of the rectangles to line up with the holes in the tabs. If you've never made grommets, simply follow the steps on the packaging and you'll be a pro.

Grab some leather lacing at the craft store and punch holes in paper to match up with the grommets, and tie through the metal and through the paper to bind the journals. Wow, you'll love it!

These would be perfect gifts for anyone, but I especially think they would be great for the guys in your life, too!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog, and I hope you'll find lots of cool crafts to make for yourself, your friends, and your family.